Happoen garden is a beautiful Japanese
garden in Tokyo which has a traditional tea ceremony house. Everything in Japan
has a unique feature, whether it is gardens or toilets or escalators it has a strong Japanese
impressions characterized by its small size and brevity. I think they believe
in the principle of ‘ small is beautiful’.

Waterbody in Happoen garen

A stream running through the green garden,
a small water falls, a traditional tea house, restaurant,
old Bonsai trees, beautifully dressed up Japanese brides busy in posing for
photo shoots, garden full of vibrations of celebrations yet maintaining
silence…. That was Happoen garden nestled amid the skyscrapers. It has a banquet
hall and there were couple of weddings ceremonies. Bride and the family in
gorgeous kimonos were adding to the beauty of the garden.

Japanese bride

Women in Kimonos

I walked through the Bonsai garden. Some of
these miniature trees were more than 500 years of age. Somehow I can’t appreciate Bonsai. For me it
always seems that Bonsai is curbing the natural growth.

500 year old Bonsai tree

Few meters away from
where I stoodI could see an old house
right on the bank of a pristine lake. The view was soothing and enchanting. Perfect
tranquil setting for a tea ceremony.

Winter trees

I spent some time next to the lake which
was reflecting the trees around. The autumn trees were
awaitingfor spring to create the
magic ofcherry blooms. I wonder how beautifully
this place might transform during cherry
blossom. I could see skyscrapers right across the garden. Yet it was like 100 miles
away from the city.

Reflections

When I reached the traditional tea ceremony house, it was
full. People were waiting outside. When it was our turn we entered the house
which could accommodate 10-12 people. There were two women in the kimonos
welcoming us with a bow. They offered seat. One of the women was introduced herself
as the host or tea master who will lead the tea ceremony. Then for the next 10-15
minutes I witnessed the lengthy
procedure of tea making ceremony which looked like a well-choreographed
performance.

Tea master

The host started the rituals which involved many steps. I don’t know how will
they remember those small but several hand movements. The other lady in the house
offered us sweets. Typical of Japanese size they were tiny pieces of sweets.

Sweets served in the tea ceremony. Look at the size

It
was not supposed to be eaten until host asks us to eat.Then shecontinued with the rituals. After cleaning
the bowl she asked us to eat the sweet. Then she prayed, performed some
purification rituals. Then she added two spoons of green tea into the bowl and
poured water. Then she whisked with the same gracefulness. Finally after
praying she offered this to the guest seated in her right side corner. The
guest is supposed to be the chief guest. Then they offered tea to all of us. Before
drinking we were directed to turn the tea cup anticlockwise thrice and also
were advised to repeat the same after finishing the tea. This symbolizes showing
respect to the host. Japanese green tea is literally green in colour and made
of fine green tea powder. Tea mster asked us ‘ how was
the tea’?We answered ‘ it was good’ as advised
by our guide even though it tasted highly bitter.

Green tea

The whole procedure of cleaning the
utensils, purifying , prayingwas full
of graceful movements. Every movement like the way they hold the ladle or pour the hot water was
showing gratitude to the natural elements. They call it as Chadou. The literal
meaning is ‘the way of tea’ .

The whole process is
thanking the supreme power which in their case the elements and transferring
the gift of the supreme to the guests. I am not sure if I understood it
correctly.

All about tea house

I was told there are many schools of tea
ceremonies. In the tea ceremony I attended the tea master performed the ritual in
a standing position. There are tea ceremonies where they perform it sitting on
the ground. May be next time I try a different method.

The ceremony was over after the final silent bow from the host. She stood outside the house. I took leave from the tea house.

Monday, March 16, 2015

It
was early in the morning. I boardeda
taxi to hotel from the Berlin airport. My
eyes were glued outside the windows
enjoying the fresh morning and the trees in autumn colors.

I expected a least to hear anything about
India in the foreign land. Driver of the taxi pulls me into a conversation with
general questions about my whereabouts. The moment I mention I am from India,
he says ‘ Do you know Rabindranath Tagore ?’. He picks up a book next to him
and says ‘ I am reading his Gitanjali poems for the 2nd time’ . Ah! What a morning it was when I was hearing a driver in foreign land reading India's one of the
finest poets of the last century.

Tagore is a part and parcel of my life like
millions of Indians. More than a poet who wrote Indian national anthem, his feminish kind of writings, depiction of babu class of Bengal, inspired lines
from Vaishnava poets and bahuls of Bengal –all gushed in to my memory lane. I
also felt amazed by thinking about the kind of general eduction this country
provides where a driver can read poetry in translation.

Second meet

I had opted for walking tour in Seoul. Mr.
Lee was assigned as walking tour guide to show some of the alley ways and Korean
market place. He was such a sweet enthusiastic person and was probably in his
sixties. While walking through the alleys Mr. Lee, hesitantly asks me ‘ Do you
know Rabindranath Tagore ? I nod 'ofcourse yes'. He continues with growing enthusiasm ‘ after knowing that my todays guest is from India I was thinking how do I make her
happy by saying something good about India. Then Tagore came to my help’. I was
like wow! Here once again Tagore . The bygone yet remembered poet of India came
in the midst of travel like he came in Berlin.Mr. Lee was holding a photocopy of the pamphlet in
his hand which contained excerpt from Tagore’s poem ‘ Lamp of the East’.

In
2011 Korean govt joined hands with India to commemorate Tagore's 150 birth year.
Koreans fondly remember Tagore and his
poem ‘Lamp of the east.’ He wrote the poem
when Korea was under Japanese imperialism during his visit to Japan in 1929, prophesizing Korea will emerge like
a star in the coming years. This piece
of poetry influenced thousands of Koreans under slavery to get inspired and
fight back Japan.And they made it. We know where Korea is in the world map
today. Tagore wrote the poemabout Korea
, the place he never visited. Recently in
2011 , Korean government has installed a
bust of the ever charming poet in Dehangro,the cultural heart of Seoul city.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Though this post is specifically written for Beijing. It can be applicable for China in general and also for any non English speaking countries. I have had troubles in my first travel. Once, I was lost for half a day in search of some particular hutong ( Chinese famous alleyways) in Beijing as I was not carrying map with me.

Here are 6 things to know before travelling to Beijing.

First thing you need as soon as you arrive is Hotel name in
Chinese. Otherwise, there is no way you ending up in your hotel. Keep print out of the hotel
name in Chinese ready with you

Local trains are the cheapest mode of travel in Beijing.
It just costs 2RMB from one end to the other end irrespective of the distance. It seems they have not increased the price from quite some years. If you have a
map in hand and know where do you want to go, then it shouldn’t be any problem to travel cheap locally

Shopping – If you are traveling to Beijing,invariably you
will be suggested to go to Yashow and Silk markets. Unless you are good in
bargaining don’t even try to buy anything. I bought a top for 40RMB which
wasquoted as high as950RM.They show you the price on their
calculator. You start asking 10% of what they quote.

Maps – If you are traveling on your own by train don’t
forget to carry maps with you. Not only map of train route to identify where you need
to catch your train and where you need to get down. But also map in detail to
show your destination after you step out of the station. I lost half day in search of a place which I never
reached.

Lastly, if you are addicted to Google and Facebook be prepared to say
temporary goodbyeto these social
networks. China government has blocked these sites. Some say that it works through VPN. For me it didn't. Whatever you need to Google, keep everything ready before
you travel.

When you budget for your travel, be generous to keep good
budget for entry fees. I found Entry fee in China is very high . Of course it is in comparison with other Asian countries.

Are you interested in China. Pls browse through the blog for more posts
Have you traveled to China ? Pls add any more tips that I have not covered.